New History of the Marathas v2.c31.5

v2.c31.5

A newsletter says, “Upon reaching Poona Raghunathrao began to ignore the young Peshwa and conduct every matter of administration himself. But Madhavrao was not to be so easily silenced.” Thus arose an unpleasant position in which the Peshwa’s mother and her partizans ranged themselves in a strong party opposing R’rao’s measures, a development which was soon reported to the Nizam’s Court, giving it an opportunity to profit at the expense of the Marathas. At this time Nizam Ali had attained predominance in the counsels of Salabat Jang and started forcibly to recapture the rich districts of the Raichur Doab which had been ceded to the Marathas by the treaty of Udgir. To counter this move Madhavrao and R’rao proposed an attack upon Aurangabad; in their sore need of funds they melted personal ornaments and the gold and silver vessels of household use to mint money. They also sent urgent calls to Damaji Gaikwad and Malharrao Holkar to come to Poona with all expedition, as they were the only two leaders who had escaped safely from the disaster of Panipat, and who were experienced elders whose word carried weight. Malharrao was, however, prevented by circumstances from leaving his station in Malwa. He was charged with the duty of preserving Maratha prestige in north India and arranging the treaty of peace with Abdali. His wife Gautamabai died at Indore on 29th September 1761 and the mourning and funeral rites occupied Malharrao’s attention for a time. He had a war on his hand against Madhoshinh of Jaipur and while engaged in the operations he received wounds in the battle of Mangrol (29 November), which kept him confined to bed. It was only in March 1762 that Malharrao could reach Poona.